Gordon Shadrach

Gordon Shadrach’s allegorical paintings often take the form of portraits, focusing predominantly on the Black male form in order to question the impact of cultural stereotypes in society and the prevalence of the colonial gaze. In particular, his interest lies in the intersection and codification of race and fashion, and the influences of these codes upon the ways in which we navigate through spaces and associate with one another. Shadrach’s artwork and research engages both historical and contemporary references and modes of presentation, including the use of gilded, antique frames. His textile installation pieces creatively utilize historic and vintage fabrics that extend his explorations of the impact of colonialism on the African diaspora. 

Shadrach received his B. Des. (MAAD) from OCAD University and has a Master of Education degree from Niagara University. He has worked in education for the past 20 years for the Toronto District School Board and has taught at OCAD University. He is known for his advocacy, community involvement, and leadership as well as his frank and open interviews and artist talks that address championing Black art and representation within the Canadian and African Diasporic context. 

Shadrach was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario, and lives and works in Toronto. He has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Canada and internationally, including in the solo exhibition Reposition at the Canadian Embassy, Washington, USA; and the duo exhibition When the Bread They Have Cast on the Waters Comes Floating Back at the D’Aguilar Foundation in Nassau, Bahamas. His work is included in the upcoming exhibition Sunday Best: The Power and the Glory of Black Style at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Notably, in the summer of 2022, Shadrach was the lead artist and co-curator for “Dis/Mantle”, a ground-breaking exhibition at the Spadina Museum that was shortlisted by Museum and Heritage Trust Awards UK. Shadrach’s work has been acquired by the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Agnes Etherington Gallery, City of Toronto, and is included in notable North American diasporic art collections including the Wedge Collection, the Wright Collection, and the CCH Pounder collection.